Household waste management centre

ABSTRACT

A waste segregation and recycling receptacle which can receive and store different types of recyclabale, biodegradable and non-recyclable waste. The receptacle contains an upright outer open-top vessel, several insertable and removable upright inner open-top vessels, seated within the outer vessel, and a removable top cover with a lid. Flanges along the tops of the inner vessels can rest on the top rims of the side walls of the outer vessel and retain the inner vessels within the outer vessel. The flanges also allow for the retaining and supporting of thin-walled non self supporting collection bags within the inner vessels if required. The outer vessel can be easily lifted and carried for emptying. The receptacle can be free standing or integrated into kitchen units, and its design reduces the odours and leachate normally associated with bio-waste.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a household waste receptacle, wherebyhousehold waste can be segregated at source for the purposes ofrecycling and disposal. The invention has a novel means of utilising theouter vessel of the receptacle and the smaller inner vessels in a mannercommensurate with the varieties and amounts of different wastesdeposited in the receptacle. The receptacle incorporates a novelventilation system to miminise the production of odours and lechate thatmay arise due to the plurality of wastes deposited in the receptacle.The embodiment is easily handled and transportable when filled and isdesigned to be easily maintained and cleaned.

BACKGROUND

Environmental concerns in conjunction with legislation and increasedwaste disposal charges are encouraging householders worldwide to recycleas much as possible of their domestic waste, and thus minimise theamount of waste directed to landfill. Such recycling requires thesegregation of waste into categories determined by the waste disposalservice provider, and it is not uncommon for households to have numerousvessels within the home to facilitate this segregation of waste. Thisinvention addresses this need to segregate waste at source with theprovision of an upright vessel, which is easily transportable by theaverage human to larger waste recycling and disposal vessels. Theinvention takes into consideration the plurality of wastes needing to bedisposed of or recycled, the quantities involved, the characteristics ofthe wastes generated within the household and the desirability of thehouseholder for an ergonomically pleasing product with is easilymaintained both esthetically and hygienically.

It is therefore the objective of the present invention to overcome theproblems and shortcomings in prior art and provide a new and improvedhousehold waste management system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a receptacle assembly into which can be placed threeupright open top inner vessels allowing for the placement of four typesof waste in the embodiment. Various depths of inner vessels can beplaced in the outer vessels to facilitate the volumes of various wastesneeding to be segregated. Ventilation is provided in the preferredembodiment by way of raised ventilation holes at the base of the outervessel, ventilation holes in the bases of the inner vessels and theincorporation of an air vent in the lid. This ventilation system helpsto mininise the production of leachate and odours created by thedecomposition of any biodegradable compostable waste which may be placedin an inner vessels. The inner vessels can support and retain non selfsupporting thin walled bags for ease of waste removal, and the innervessels are dishwasher compatible in order to facilitate ease ofmaintenance and hygiene. The outer vessel is more suitable for dryrecyclable wastes and the ventilation holes therein allow for ease ofmaintenance and cleaning of the vessel. The outer vessel contains across member between the tops of opposing upright side walls whichincorporates a carrying handle. This handle facilitates the carrying byhumans of the vessels, and the waste therein, to larger waste managementsystems usually located external to the home. The removable cover of theembodiment which incorporates a hinged lid, sits on the tops of the fourside walls of the outer vessels, and overhangs the side walls of theouter vessel, ensuring that the cover does not become dislodged form theouter vessel. The overhang of the cover incorporates retention featureswhich prevent the cover from lifting from the outer vessel, when the lidis open or is being opened. The lid when closed sits on a depressedflange along the opening in the cover and the lid is hinged so as toprevent it from opening more than 60 degrees beyond the vertical. Thelid encompasses a recessed handle with a ventilation opening. While thereceptacle is a free stand alone unit, a retaining attachment isincluded in the embodiment to allow for the embodiment's integrationinto a pull out under counter kitchen unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The compartmentalized waste storage and recycling receptacle comprisesof an outer open top vessel 1, into which can fit smaller inner open topvessels 2. The bases of the inner and outer vessels are perforated toallow for ventilation of both vessel types, with the outer vesselshaving standoffs at the base to facilitate air movement to theperforations in its base. In an alternative embodiment the inner andouter vessel can be vented by the use of perforations in their sidewalls, removing the requirement for standoffs in the outer vessel. Theinner vessels are supported and retained in position within the outervessels with the aid of flanges 7 on the inner vessels which rest on,and interface with the flange along the top rim of the outer vessel 10.The cross member 5 interlocks with opposing sides of the outer vesselalong their top edges, and forms both a strengthening member and acarrying handle for the receptacle. The cover 3 when positioned on topof the outer vessel rests on the top flanges 10 of the outer vessel andthe top flanges 7 of any inner vessels placed within the outer vessel.Within the cover 3 is a lid 4 with a handle 8, which has a hinge 9enabling the lid to the opened using the handle. The lid pivots in avertical plane about the hinge, and is prevented from pivoting furtherthan 150 degrees beyond its horizontal closed position in the cover.Flanges on the underside of the lid and along the edge of the cover'sopenings help to prevent the lid from dropping below the uppermosthorizontal plane of the cover when the lid is in a closed position. Thehandle 8, is integrated into the lid and also acts as a vent. The sidewalls of the cover 3, when it is positioned in place on the top of theouter vessel, extend below the horizontal plane of the outer vessel'srim and prevent lateral movement of the cover. Flanges within the coverprevent vertical movement of the cover when the lid contained therein,is opened or being opened. The design incorporates a fixture, 6, whichallows for the embodiment to be attached to the rear of the front facingdoor of a pull-out kitchen unit. The topmost flange of the outer vessel,when the embodiment rests on the base of the pull-out unit, sits intothe aforementioned fixture which is attached to the rear of the kitchenunit's front facing door. This attachment of the outer vessel to thekitchen-unit's door prevents the embodiment from moving within thepull-out kitchen unit.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein-before describedwhich may vary in detail.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A vented receptacle for the segregation and storingof a plurality of waste types, comprising (a) an outer open top vesselhaving side walls, a top rim, and a bottom wall with ventilation holes(b) inner smaller open top vessels, each having side walls, a bottomwall with ventilation holes, and flanges for the supporting of thevessels themselves within the outer vessel and the retention of bagswith flexible walls within the inner vessel (c) a removable top covercompatible with the top rim of the outer vessel (d) a lid which containsventilation openings, and is hinged within the top cover (e) a carryingmechanism allowing for of the vented receptacle to be lifted and carriedby a householder
 9. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein the outervessel is itself a receptacle for receiving waste
 10. The ventedreceptacle of claim 1 wherein the amount of access to the outer vesselis determined by the number of inner vessels placed in the outer vessel11. The vented vessel receptacle of claim 1 wherein the capacity of theouter vessel to accept waste is determined by the number and size ofinner vessels placed within it
 12. The vented receptacle of claim 1wherein the passage or air through it is achieved by the use of theventilation holes in the outer and inner vessels and the ventilationopenings in the lid
 13. The vented receptacle of claim 1 wherein theouter vessel can be a standalone unit or integrated and enclosed inlarger household units such as kitchen units.
 14. A method for thesegregation and storing of a plurality of household waste types,comprising (a) an outer open top vessel having side walls, a top rim,and a bottom wall with ventilation holes (b) inner smaller open topvessels, each having side walls, a bottom wall with ventilation holes,and flanges for the supporting of the vessels themselves within theouter vessel and the retention of bags with flexible walls within theinner vessel (c) a removable top cover compatible with the top rim ofthe outer vessel (d) a lid which contains ventilation openings, and ishinged within the top cover (e) a carrying mechanism allowing for of thevented receptacle to be lifted and carried by a householder wherebywaste generated odours and leachate are reduced as a result of the aircurrents created within the vented receptacle due to the ventilationholes in the bottom walls of the inner and outer vessels and the openingin the lid. Various quantities and types of household waste can beaccommodated within the one receptacle, which due to its design canaccommodate both waste and inner vessels, allowing for a plurality ofwaste types and quantities to be stored effectively and efficiently.This is achieved by maximising the utilisation of the internal space ofthe outer vessel, by providing flexibility in the number and sizes ofinner vessels that can be accommodated and by maintaining access to theouter vessel for use as a depository of waste. The receptacle isdesigned to be a standalone unit or integrated into an under counterkitchen cabinet.